Argentina has been confirmed as the new venue for the FIFA U20 World Cup, which opens in May this year.
On the 18th (Korean time), FIFA announced that 스포츠토토“Argentina has been selected as the host country for this year’s U20 World Cup” and that “the group draw for the 24 finals will be held in Zurich, Switzerland on the 21st.”
This year’s U20 World Cup, which kicks off on May 20, was originally scheduled to be held in Indonesia. However, when Israel advanced to the finals for the first time in the history of the tournament, anti-Israel public opinion in Indonesia intensified. Following threats against the Israeli squad, FIFA last month revoked Indonesia’s right to host the U20 World Cup.
Indonesia, where coach Shin Tae-yong leads both the adult national team and the U20 national team, was originally scheduled to host the U20 World Cup in 2021, but the tournament was canceled due to the Corona 19 pandemic, and instead received the right to host the 2023 tournament, but ended up not being able to hold the tournament. It also lost its host country qualification and was unable to participate in the tournament.
On the other hand, Argentina, which failed to qualify for the World Cup for the top four countries at the South American U20 Championships held in Colombia in January this year, is now eligible to participate as the host country.
It is the first time in 22 years since 2001 that Argentina will host the U20 World Cup. Argentina holds the record for the most victories in the tournament, winning six times, including the 2001 championship.
The Korean U20 national team, led by coach Kim Eun-joong, advanced to the semifinals at the U20 Asian Cup last March, and reached the World Cup finals for the third time in a row. Korea finished runner-up at the 2019 Polish tournament, the previous tournament, and posted the highest score ever in the FIFA Men’s World Cup. At that time, Lee Kang-in (Mallorca) won the Golden Ball (Best Player).